Participants in ‘pseudo-ordination’ excommunicated, Cardinal Rigali announces

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A Womenpriest's "ordination" ceremony on the St. Lawrence Seaway in 2005

Philadelphia, Pa., Apr 28, 2009 / 03:42 am (CNA).- Saying it was “most unfortunate” that the “invalid ceremony” took place within his archdiocese, Archbishop of Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali has said that those who participated in a “pseudo-Ordination” of two women on Sunday have been automatically excommunicated by their act.

Cardinal Rigali said those who presented themselves for supposed ordination as well as those who “falsely claim” to ordain them have been excommunicated. On Sunday a self-professed bishop from South Africa named Patricia Fresen and a female bishop from Maryland led a ceremony in a Christian chapel inside Congregation Mishkan Shalom, a Reconstructionist Jewish synagogue in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The cardinal explained Catholic teaching in a statement, saying the ceremony is “in violation of the constant teaching of the Church, based on Scripture and Sacred Tradition.”

“Both clearly indicate that Jesus called only men to follow Him as Apostles, and the Church has always regarded his choice in this matter as normative for all time. Therefore, she has always followed Jesus' example by choosing only men for the ministry of Holy Orders.”

Saying the teaching on ordination had been confirmed by the Catholic Church as “definitive and irreformable,” he said the Church is “not authorized by Christ to confer Holy Orders upon women, and cannot do so, no matter how ardent a person’s desire may be.”

“All Catholic men and women bring different yet equally valuable gifts to the Church. The Church is strongest when the gifts given by Christ to all her members are celebrated and respected,” he continued. Cardinal Rigali then quoted Pope John Paul II’s 1994 Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, which said the role of women in the life of the Church remains “absolutely necessary and irreplaceable.”

“God's gifts, however, are never given to individuals merely for their own fulfillment, but for the unfolding of his plan of salvation in the Church for the benefit of the whole community of the faithful, and no one's true personal dignity in the Church can be fostered in opposition to the will of Christ Himself.

“Consequently, such a pseudo-ordination ceremony denigrates the truth entrusted to the Church by Christ Himself, and demonstrates a complete misunderstanding of the respect and dignity accorded to women by Christ and His Church.”

Roman Catholic Womenpriests, the group that attempted to carry out the “ordinations,” is planning three more ceremonies next month.

Comments: 15

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Ron Pichlik
Battle Creek, MI USA 05/06/2009 07:10 PM EST

To Phillip in Belgique: Please don't be obtuse. The Magadalene was a disciple and his mother while a disciple when she lived became the Queen of Heaven at her dormition/assumption. You are confusing being a disciple with being an apostle. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that the ONLY people present at the last supper, (the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood), were the 12 Apostles. They were each made priests and given bishoprics; this is evident in Acts of the Apostles where Peter announces that Judas Iscariot's inheritance, his bishopric, should be given to another; voila, Mathias. Christ called ONLY men to be apostles and priests. It could only be in the 20th and 21st century arrogant mind that would attempt to reinterpret and reinvent what our Lord and Savior, God Incarnate intended.

Published by: Phillip
Grand-Bigard/Belgique 05/02/2009 05:29 PM EST

Well, I guess Mary Magdelen and the Blessed Mother were not followers of Christ.
Who met him during the walk to crusifixtion?
I though they were women. Did he tell them then that they could not be priests in the new faith?
I guess he did, huh?
The Vatican helped escaped German war criminals escape with false papers to Argentina...When will they address that...its only been 62 years since it occured

Published by: Adim Offiong
Randallstown, MD, USA 04/30/2009 02:47 PM EST

You are Peter and on this "Rock" I will build my church and the "Gates of Hell SHALL NOT over come it." This is the assurance which Christ gave to his church, so sincere and faithful Catholics need not worry about the political actions of people against the church.
It is sad that these women and their Fans still decide to go on with their ceremonies. I continue to pray that the good lord will enlighten them. The church has and will alway repeat her stance, that she cannot ordain women. The church is not saying she will not, because the power is not with us, it is the what Christ and his church handed down to us. Many people even Priests who are supposed to know better, are continuing with the lie that women were ordain priests and deacons in the early church. Please know now that there is not record to support such false claim. This is just a desperate lie, to confuse people about the stance of the church. I pray that our Beloved mother Mary will interceed for these women and help them to return to the church. I also seek the prayers of our venerable servant of God, Pope John Paul II, to help unite the church which he so faithfully served. God bless us all.

Published by: Rev. Matthew Chadwick
Philadelphia, PA USA 04/29/2009 03:36 PM EST

The Divinely instituted, sacramental distinction and significance between male and female are fundamental to the creation of mankind (Genesis 1:27). Both must be visibly expressed in the vocations of man and woman in the Church, in the family and in society. These women do not recognize that man and woman can be distinct in person but equal in dignity, as are the 3 Persons in the Holy Trinity. They therefore, deny the individuality of each man and each woman. It's very sad to see Catholics so ignorant about the basics of the Faith.

Published by: Joe
San Francisco 04/29/2009 01:00 PM EST

Christian spirituality, especially priestly spirituality, is rooted in humility. Whether you agree or disagree with a male clergy, the roots of this reported activity are secularism and pride in a chasuble.

Published by: Little Bear
Presto, PA 04/29/2009 12:49 PM EST

First, Jesus did not ordain anyone at the Last Supper.
Secondly, who prepared the Last Supper and seved it? Peter? Or the other Apostles? No
the women did.
Thirdly, if Jesus DID ordain the Apostles, only Jewish males should be allowed to be priests or bishops.
Fourth, how is it that women can receive Communion--if they were not present at the Last Supper. Women were baptized by St. John the Baptist and by the Apostles. Women were present when the Holy Spirit came on Penticost. How are women able to receive Jesus' Body and Blood if only men were present to receive it at the Last Supper?

Published by: FR. Bernard
Nairobi - Kenya 04/29/2009 10:51 AM EST

It is not true to say it is against Scripture and tradition to ordain women to Holy Orders,1Tim:3:8 - 13, 5:2, Rom.16:1 women were Named Deacons by laying on of hands in the presence of presbyters.
- Jesus never called anybody to Ordained priesthood as distinguished from discipleship and Apostolate.
Equality in the eyes and in the service of God is not defined by gender or gender roles, hence they both deliver equally as ministers of the word.

Published by: Mary
Berks County PA 04/29/2009 09:44 AM EST

I feel so sad for these women that they feel they know better than Christ and His Church, the Church which he confered through Peter by the Holy Spirit for mankind for all time. It is the age in which we live and which the secular world encourages....it is the politics of jealousy..the age of "I know better."

Published by: Jean
Seattle, WA 04/29/2009 09:22 AM EST

The promulgated doctrines of the Church's councils are not open for debate and JPII has ruled (infallibly) that the Church cannot ordain women. If you cannot accept this, you must leave. The EPUSA will welcome you.

Published by: Richard
Colonial Heights, VA 04/29/2009 09:17 AM EST

Why is this stuff news anymore? The first few times, I can understand. But it now it becomes repetitively silly.

Published by: Henry Ramirez
San Antonio/Texas/USA 04/29/2009 08:48 AM EST

If these women believe themselves to be priests, are they saying Masses? And if so, who are the people atending them? Their persistence, surely, is the result of encouragement.

Published by: Scott
South Bend 04/29/2009 12:53 AM EST

What... were the women in the picture "ordained" on a boat? That picture really wants to make me throw up.

Published by: Jon
Ft. Myers 04/28/2009 05:16 PM EST

The look like a bunch of Episcopalians.

Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass. USA 04/28/2009 01:39 PM EST

Women are really holy by the very nature of their sex. THEY ARE TO RAISE FAMILIES FOR THE SERVICE OF GOD! Men need a purpose and a mission and they are created to create congregations of people to know and serve God. Many families can band together to form one Holy Family the Holy Catholic Church. The Father creates a strong Family bond and the Mother raises a family with a strong bond of love in faith. Their differences make for completeness. Both sexes were made to serve God but with different talents. The Father must work for an external world of peace and the woman must maintain a family of love and tranquility. The sexes are equally gifted but in different ways. Jesus typified the working relation of a Father with his Son as a result The Holy Spirit becomes the grace of the working relationship of truth and love. The bond of this working relationship is in the Holy Trinity. The bond of of faith that makes it all work is in the faith of a woman,Mary the Mother of God! Without her faith nothing can work. The mother must believe in the father and vice versa. it is impossible for one to be the very same as the other. Have faith in the priesthood and pray for our priests. As great as any priest was" Mother"Teresa.

Published by: KS -Woman of Faith
Wichita, KS USA 04/28/2009 10:15 AM EST

Rate: Good

Our Church has so many wonderful jobs, but not Priesthood. This belongs to Peter and the men of our church. This will just make them appear desperate and so wrong.

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